Philadelphia-based producer Almighty Nate, 19, became interested in his craft by age 11 when he started downloading free trials of music production software on his family’s desktop computer. His curiosity was piqued by the bilingual voices which aired on his radio. Born Nathan Guzman, the Puerto Rican beatmaker searched for sounds resembling his favorite hip-hop records and his mother’s reggaetón albums. While the tyke’s resources were limited, his ambition was plentiful.

“I have always had an ear for music since before my teens. New York rap artists’ storytelling inspired me. I got the best of both worlds because I enjoyed Spanish-language music like dembow — in English, producers like Young Chop, Chief Keef, and Speaker Knockerz introduced me to bass-heavy hits. I did not know much about technical skills, so I watched YouTube videos detailing production programs. By high school, I mastered several,” Nate explained.

Today, the RIAA gold-certified newcomer takes responsibility for the energy he exudes before being collaborative with musicians by checking in with himself. His headspace indicates what genre of music he will create within his three-beat-a-day routine. The practice ensures he does not waste time. Upon laying down the structure of a song’s melody, Nate builds out forms of percussion to enhance each rhythm’s momentum. Drums are among the track architect’s favorite elements. He constantly refreshes his perspective by listening to purist hip hop and what is abuzz ahead of studio sessions.

“In my opinion, Philadelphia radio often looked to New Yorkers for lyrical influence. We are not too far — I believe sonically — many first come from New York City across genres. So, it was exciting when I could see things I wanted to be a part of in my neighborhood. I used to look up to Maaly Raw when I was younger. He is also from Philly and began producing for rapper Lil Uzi Vert. Seeing them establish global influence developed hometown motivation,” the producer detailed.

Creative stimulation is valuable, but what Nate is most tapped into is his environment. In 2019, his breakthrough debut with J.I. “Love Scars” achieved 35 million views via YouTube on the bop’s music video. The rags to riches composition plays through autobiographically for the pair. The tempo’s originator understood that closed mouths don’t get fed. J.I. issued a call for rising producers’ work on social media, and Nate introduced himself with an email submission and pack.

The duo’s musical chemistry was instantaneous, and Gaby Acevedo, CEO of GStarr Entertainment, took the beat constructor under his wing. Getting acclimated was not a challenge, as authenticity is a key to GStarr’s signees’ ascensions. Alongside his new roster mates Messiah, J.I., Jabari, DAISY SIMO, Apollo Rai, and DOC, Nate works in-house to aid the future of the collective. The tight knit entertainment company is constantly on the move, and their latest virtuoso has been enjoying learning to create on the road.

“My music comes from my emotions. What listeners hear is based upon what is going on in our lives at GStarr Entertainment. If I am depressed or happy, I channel that and assemble pieces based on those feelings. If I make a beat in a new location, my offerings will vary per atmosphere. I am intuitive, so it helps me create the best possible sound for the artist I am working with at the label,” he affirmed.

Nate’s career manifestations are not limited to this year’s hope for a chart-topping placement. The producer prioritized getting J.I.’s forthcoming EP’s soundscapes to their peak. The MC already receives an upward of over 100 million streams on a single — but his cadences’ instrumentalist is beginning to think of the big picture. With the mantra, “Consistency over perfection,” Nate shares his daily assignments with his GStarr team despite any reservations about harmonies.

“Even if I do not love something immediately, I will submit what I created to the performers because they might hear something I do not. Production is meant to be a joint effort, and I do my best to cater to the artists’ projects’ needs. I look at GStarr like a family — Gaby is teaching me about the business. I am learning to stay focused and keep working on my craft. Our CEO motivates me, and I can see myself getting a diamond record placement with him. That is my ultimate goal,” Nate illustrated.

The foundation of Nate’s independent label has impacted him deeply. GStarr is changing more than his outreach — the crew is elevating his mindset. More than being seen by his peers, the beatmaker wants to win. His production on J.I.’s “Hood Scars 2” has over 48 million music video views with a slew of unreleased tunes sure to do the same. By taking a step-by-step approach to the industry, Nate aspires to pivot into the creation of film scores, begin a production imprint alongside GStarr, and mold future on-the-rise talent via music management.

“I remember when my mother invested in my dreams. She saw me downloading free trials online, and one day I walked into my room, and there was a brand new computer sitting on my bed. I had a lot of adrenaline that day because every kid does not have someone to believe in them,” he said. At this moment, with a reliable resource, Nate committed to the world of music and began producing with intention. His childhood labor evolved into millions of listeners thus far. What tomorrow holds has yet to pass — maybe his dream Southside collaboration or simply the opportunity to record again — either way, Almighty Nate will not give up until he finds out.